News

Taking part in OTAs

Hurns (ankle) has been running routes and has been cleared to participate in individual drills during OTAs this week, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Hurns dislocated his left ankle during the Cowboys' playoff victory over the Seahawks in January and has steadily recovered since undergoing surgery. There seems to be a decent chance he'll be available in full capacity for training camp.

Published: Wed, May 22 at 1:01pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Hasn't been asked about pay cut

Hurns (ankle) hasn't been approached about restructuring his contract, David Moore of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Carrying a non-guaranteed $5 million base salary in the second season of a two-year contract, Hurns became an obvious candidate for a pay cut or release after the Cowboys added slot man Randall Cobb. The salary is a lot to pay for a likely No. 4 receiver, but it's possible the team places a premium on Hurns' ability to play both inside and out. The 27-year-old wide receiver is rehabbing from an ankle dislocation suffered in the playoffs, recently doing some jogging with the goal to be ready for…read more

Published: Mon, Mar 25 at 11:43am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Not assured of role

Hurns (ankle) may be left without a role after the Cowboys signed slot receiver Randall Cobb to a one-year, $5 million contract, Kate Hairopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: The reported value of Cobb's contract is equal to the amount of cap space the Cowboys can free up if Hurns is released before Week 1. Coming off a disappointing Dallas debut that ended with a dislocated ankle in the playoffs, Hurns may need to accept a pay cut to make it to the second season of his two-year contract. The 27-year-old currently projects as the team's No. 4 wide receiver, with Cobb handling the slot while Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup take most of the snaps outside. The Cowboys…read more

Published: Fri, Mar 22 at 12:25pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Option to replace Beasley

Cowboys VP Stephen Jones recently indicated that Hurns (ankle) is expected to be ready for training camp and could be an option to replace Cole Beasley in the slot, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports. "When you look at Hurns and what he was in Jacksonville, he was a slot. He's certainly an option if we lose Beasley, in terms of filling that role," Jones said at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Analysis: Hurns is on the mend from surgery to repair a dislocated left ankle and was never expected to be ready for OTAs or minicamp anyway. With Beasley out of the picture after departing to the Bills in free agency, Hurns currently slots as the likely No. 3 receiver behind Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup in Dallas. There's upside to be had if Hurns can ultimately secure a similar role to the one he had during his 2015 season with Jacksonville, when the Miami product averaged 16.1 yards per reception…read more

Published: Fri, Mar 15 at 9:09am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Still wanted in Dallas

Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said he expects Hurns (ankle) to stay with the team for 2019, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Signed to a two-year, $11 million contract last offseason, Hurns fell to No. 4 on the depth chart by November and then suffered an ankle dislocation in the first round of the playoffs. He had surgery the same day he suffered his injury, with the expectation of a return to football activities by August. Hurns would make sense as a slot replacement for impending free agent Cole Beasley, but it won't come as any surprise if Dallas ends up releasing the 27-year-old -- a move that would free up $5…read more

Published: Tue, Feb 26 at 12:33pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Shifts to IR

Analysis: Hurns' move to IR was fully anticipated after he suffered a dislocated left ankle in Saturday's wild-card win over the Seahawks that required emergency surgery. The Cowboys are optimistic that Hurns will be ready to resume football activities in August, but if the veteran is at less than full health for training camp, he could become a candidate for release. Dallas elevated Lance Lenoir from its practice squad to fill Hurns' spot on the roster ahead of this weekend's divisional-round showdown…read more

Published: Tue, Jan 8 at 9:36am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Undergoes ankle surgery

Analysis: Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the wideout, who dislocated his ankle in Saturday's playoff win over the Seahawks, is expected to be ready to return to football activities by August, in the absence of any unexpected complications or setbacks. Hurns, who is under contract with the Cowboys in 2019, finished the 2018 season with 20 catches (on 35 targets) for 295 yards and two TDs in 16 games.

Published: Sun, Jan 6 at 7:46am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Out for playoffs

Owner Jerry Jones said Hurns (ankle) is out for the rest of the playoffs, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.

Analysis: Hurns suffered the gruesome ankle fracture in the first quarter of Saturday's wild-card win against the Seahawks and was loaded onto a stretcher before being carted off the field. Jones also said that the 27-year-old went straight into surgery after leaving the stadium, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports. Tavon Austin and Noah Brown could both see increased chances at wide receiver in his absence.

Published: Sat, Jan 5 at 8:50pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Suffers ugly injury

Hurns exited Saturday's wild-card game against the Seahawks after suffering an apparent left ankle injury, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: Hurns had his left foot pinned underneath a defender after making a catch in the first quarter, which resulted in his foot pointing in the wrong direction. The 27-year-old was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off the field with an apparent air cast on his left leg and most certainly will not return to Saturday's game.

Published: Sat, Jan 5 at 5:56pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Targeted twice in shutout

Hurns caught one of his two targets for a nine-yard gain during Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Colts.

Analysis: Earlier in the season, Hurns was arguably the Cowboys' top receiver. Now, with Amari Cooper in the fold and the likes of Blake Jarwin developing, Hurns hasn't cracked double digits in receiving yards since Week 10. The Cowboys' pass offense has run hot and cold, and Cooper has dominated what success Dallas has had. Sunday does offer a solid opportunity for Hurns to get back on track as Dallas hosts a bottom-10 pass defense in Tampa Bay, who is surrendering 274 receiving yards per game.

Published: Tue, Dec 18 at 8:00pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Held to one catch

Hurns was targeted once during Sunday's 29-23 win over Philadelphia, converting it into a 9-yard catch.

Analysis: Sunday was Dak Prescott's most prolific passing game of the season by a whopping 166 yards, and Hurns still managed to account for just nine of them. The offseason acquisition has now been targeted just twice in his last four games as Amari Cooper blooms in Dallas. If he were unable to do much against one of the league's worst pass defenses, things are unlikely to turn around in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Colts pass defense ranks 15th in the league, surrendering 258 yards per game -- 38 fewer…read more

Published: Tue, Dec 11 at 9:47pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Practices in full Tuesday

Analysis: Hurns was limited by a thumb issue during Monday's practice, but he appears to be no worse for the wear as Thursday's big matchup with the Saints approaches. He played a four-week-high 32 offensive snaps last Thursday versus the Redskins, turning the increased reps into just one catch for seven yards. Considering he's gathered in more than two passes in a game only twice this season, Hurns clearly isn't a regular consideration of Dak Prescott.

Published: Tue, Nov 27 at 2:28pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Full participant Tuesday

Hurns (thumb) took part in full during Tuesday's practice session, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Analysis: A thumb issue limited Hurns during Monday's practice, but he appears to be no worse for the wear as Thursday's big matchup with the Saints approaches. He played a four-week high 32 snaps last Thursday against the Redskins, turning it into just one catch for seven yards. Considering he's hauled in more than two passes in a game just twice this season, Hurns' fantasy utility is limited mainly to just deep leagues.

Published: Tue, Nov 27 at 1:25pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Limited by thumb injury

Hurns was listed as a limited practice participant Monday due to a thumb injury.

Analysis: It wasn't reported that Hurns sustained an injury in the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Day win over the Redskins, during which the wideout played 32 of 70 offensive snaps and hauled in his only target for a seven-yard gain. The Cowboys will play on Thursday for the second straight week -- this time hosting the Saints -- but Hurns doesn't look to be in major jeopardy of missing that contest. There's little fantasy utility to be mined, however, as Hurns has reeled in only 17 of 31 targets for 228 yards…read more

Published: Mon, Nov 26 at 2:28pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Role could increase Thursday

Hurns could rejoin the starting lineup Thursday if Michael Gallup (personal) isn't in the lineup.

Analysis: Hurns' role in the Dallas offense has been dwindling since the acquisition of Amari Cooper, and he saw a season-low eight snaps and zero targets in Sunday's win over Atlanta. A death in Gallup's family could require the rookie to be away from the team for the Thanksgiving day game against Washington, however, opening the door for Hurns to start. He's only topped 40 yards in a game once this year, so even in an expanded role, he'd be a risky fantasy option.

Published: Tue, Nov 20 at 6:47am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Nabs two passes

Hurns caught both of his targets for 40 total yards during Sunday's 27-20 win over Philadelphia.

Analysis: Hurns helped set up a last-second touchdown just before halftime when he toe-tapped along the sideline for a 17-yard completion to bring Dallas to the 1-yard line. Hurns has suffered the most with the arrival of Amari Cooper, seeing just three targets in two games. He's made some clutch catches with those targets but seems to be the odd man out in Dallas, making him a tough fantasy play -- even Sunday against Atlanta's bottom-five pass defense.

Published: Tue, Nov 13 at 8:41pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Scores in Monday loss

Hurns was targeted once during Monday's 28-14 loss to Tennessee, recording a 23-yard touchdown catch.

Analysis: Hurns tied the game at 14 in the closing seconds of the first half, slipping behind the defense and sauntering in for the 23-yard score. It marked his only target following a season-high six in Week 7. It's hard to read too much into one game, but in one outing with Amari Cooper leading the receiving corps, Hurns was widely ignored while Cole Beasley and rookie Michael Gallup in general maintained their targets. While this may shift more in his favor in future weeks, Hurns is not a reliable…read more

Published: Tue, Nov 6 at 7:47pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com